St. Mary’s Matt Wurster, left, reaches for a loose puck during a 2015 ice hockey game against Mt. Everett. (File Photo)
WESTFIELD – The St. Mary High School hockey team is getting a helping hand from neighboring Westfield Technical Academy.
For the first time in the program’s history, St. Mary is teaming up with Westfield Tech as part of a two-year cooperative agreement. Five Tigers are expected to compete as “Saints.”
This partnership was the direct result of lower-than-expected numbers, according to the Catholic school’s Dean of Student Life, Rob Lepage.
Without the support of administration of both schools and their respective athletic directors, as well as the Westfield School Committee, the program may well have folded, according to various reports and sources close to the team.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for both schools,” Lepage said. “It keeps our numbers solid while giving the WTA students who want to play, a chance to play.”
The arrangement is not without precendent.
The St. Mary and Westfield Tech communities have co-ops in softball and boys’ lacrosse. In the case of softball, WTA is the host school.
“The relationship between our two schools is a positive one,” Lepage said. “We’ve worked together with them before. The parents are supportive and the kids are great. It’s awesome to see them gel as one team and be successful together.”
